possessing

Verb

possess (third-person singular simple present possesses, present participle possessing, simple past and past participle possessed)

1. (transitive) To have (something) as, or as if as, an owner; to have, to own.
   • He does not even possess a working telephone.

   Synonyms:

   inhold

2. (transitive) Of an idea, thought, etc.: to dominate (someone's mind); to strongly influence.
   • I am poſſeſt with an adulterate blot, / My bloud is mingled with the crime of luſt: […]c. 1594 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Comedie of Errors”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...
3. (transitive) Of a supernatural entity, especially one regarded as evil: to take control of (an animal or person's body or mind).
   • They thought he was possessed by evil spirits.
4. (also, literary, poetic, reflexive, transitive) Of a person: to control or dominate (oneself or someone, or one's own or someone's heart, mind, etc.).
   • Resolving to possess myself in some quiet if it might be, in a time of so great jealosy, I built by my Brother's permission a study, made a fishpond, an island, and some other solitudes and retirements, at Wotton, which gave the first occasion of improving them to those water-works and gardens...1643 May 11 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 2 May 1643]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume I...
   1. (also, literary, poetic, reflexive, transitive) To dominate (a person) sexually; to have sexual intercourse with (a person).
      • Now tell me how long you would haue her, after you haue poſſeſt her?c. 1598–1600 (date written), William Shakespeare, “As You Like It”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount...
5. (archaic, transitive) To cause an idea, thought, etc., to strongly affect or influence (someone); to inspire, to preoccupy.
   • What on earth possessed you to go walking by the quarry at midnight?

See all 16 meanings of possess